What are the thoughts of Christians keeping Jewish Holiday's?

Question

What are the thoughts of Christians keeping Jewish Holiday's?

Besides Hanukkah. Keeping the Jewish Holidays. The Bible does not say to stop keeping the holidays.

Answer 1

While I don't think it's 'necessary' for a Christian to keep the Jewish Holy Days (really just the alternative spelling of Holidays), I have done that for one full year, and do it again at least once a decade to help 'remind me' of the 'roots' of the Christian religion I practice. The most 'outstanding' is the Passover Meal that was what Christ and his Apostles were celebrating during his Last Supper. By celebrating that Passover I can 'see, hear, and feel' much more closely the 'reasoning' behind the passing of the 'Cup' and the sharing of the 'Bread' ... Christ 'added' the words 'This is my blood, that I give up for you,' and 'This is my body, that I give up for you' but has 'historical traces' back to the way the Jews celebrate passover to htis very day. Even 'Rosh Hoshana' (which the Jews celebrate around the time we celebrate Christmas) has 'things to tell us' about the 'ways' we do our own 'celebrating' ... especially the Catholics, with their 'Midnight Masses' ... also the 'Easter Celebration' which most religious celebrate at 'dawn' is a Midnight Mass in the Catholic church, PLUS one in the 'early part of the day' (usually at 8 a.m.) ... and so I feel I can 'become a better Christian' by 'following Jesus Christ's 'method of worship' and comparing and 'contrasting' it with what we do to 'worship' Him today.

Answer 2

Well technically speaking Christianity is a radical branch of Judaism. Or at least, that's how it was 2000 years ago. I suppose some Christians still feel that way and thereby choose to celebrate both religions' holidays. However, keep in mind that there aren't a lot of them that do this. Most just stick with Easter, Lent and Christmas(well, these are just the main ones. I'm pretty sure Catholics have about 15 more).

Answer 3

Well, since Christianity has its basic roots in Judaism, I don't see a problem with it...if anything it could help one understand why we do some things in Christianity.

After all, there are references to Passover in the Old Testament, and the Last Supper before Christ's crucifixion is based on that. There's mention of Hannukkah in the book of Maccabees (part of the Apocrypha believed by Catholics, Anglicans and Orthodox Christians). We learn of how Queen Esther saved her people, so it would be ok to celebrate Purim. Nearly all cultures have some celebration to be thankful for the harvest, so it would make Sukkot ok, too.

As for the High Holy Days, I think it is a good reminder to us of how important it is to remember creation, remembrance and the power of repentance and forgiveness.

Those things are good for anyone, Jewish, Christian or otherwise... and yes, I do wish Jewish people "good Shabbas" on their sabbath.

Answer 4

First of all there not Jewish holiday's they're God's holy days and they are Sabbaths, Jesus kept them and so did the apostles, the new testament even states that in the coming kingdom of God we will be going to Jerusalem to keep the feast of tabernacles and any one who doesn't it will not rain in there land. Christians today keep pagan holiday's Jeremiah10 says not to do this but the new testament says not to judge a man on meat, sabbath or holiday because they will be former things of that which is to come......If you want to know more about the new testament meanings of the holy days check out the "Christian biblical church of god" or "biblical truth ministry's" web site they reckon the holy days explain gods plan for man kind.

Answer 5

In the end of days, the Bible tells us that the kings of all the nations will go up to Jerusalem to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot with the Jews (Zechariah 14).

Answer 6

I feel there's no harm in keeping the holidays of other religious people... provided it doesn't involve you doing anything against your conscience. (eg. It might be hard for a Christian/Muslim/Jew to countenance celebrating Beltane.)

I think it shows respect for God to show respect for other people's religious beliefs.

On the other hand, I would feel no compulsion to keep Jewish holidays.... but I would do so to support a friend, or just to learn from the experience.

Answer 7

As non-jews are not obligated to observe the jewish holidays, they shouldn't. When one delves into the reasons and remembrances each holiday holds, it becomes clear that non-jews have no national memory of these occurences and therefore no reason to celebrate them.

Answer 8

Well I still celebrate christmas although I am not religious at all .... easter as well.. of course this is for my children but they do not celebrate the religious aspect of either holiday. Christians celebrate pagan holiday in oct.

Answer 9

I celebrate the birth of CHRIST, without HIS birth , salvation would never have been obtainable, HIS Resurrection never would have taken place, and Abraham's promise would not have been fulfilled.

Christmas is not about honoring a man called Santa Claus (Satan's claws) I celebrate the Birth of an EVERLASTING KING.

Easter has nothing to do with a Bunny nor eggs. I celebrate The PASSOVER of the DEATH and RESURRECTION of a KING who will return. Who through HIS death I have Salvation, forgiveness of my sins and am reconciled with the Heavenly Creator GOD the Father of SALVATION.

Answer 10

Hey, I'm an Irish Catholic from Noo Yawk ! I went to a "Hanukaa" party last year and had a blast, we have Jewish friends who celebrate Christmas with us on Christmas Eve, we eat ,drink ,laugh, enjoy !